Looking for answers to life's questions

The line between a hoarder and a creative collector is very delicate. I’m beginning to see how wobbly I walk that line. It may have to do with the intention behind it. The last few weeks in the process of moving my daughter into my house has had me looking at that line a lot more closely.

Still sorting and shoveling in the sewing room

I’ve emptied a closet full of crafting and fabric tubs, as well as the linen closet to make room for my daughter. She brought her bed, linens, dresser, while I provided an emptied bookshelf. Everything on the bookshelf had to go…somewhere.

We have both moved so much stuff last month that it’s giving each of us pause. Boxes have been filled for donation. She sold most of her furniture with only two cherished pieces in storage for now. More will be sold at the summer yard sale.

I managed to give away the queen bed and frame that was my guest bed to a young couple. My daughter’s box springs came to the house, her old mattress went to the dump. My sister and I took care of that. We are so proud of ourselves for all the lifting and maneuvering of heavy obstacles at our age and in our condition. My sister loves trips to the dump; chatting up everyone who works there with her friendly nature. Couldn’t have done this without her.

Ready to head to the dump and still standing

Trying to prove we did it by ourselves. Now how do you take a selfie?

The old bed soon given away.

There is a mattress in this box

expanding once the plastic comes off. Too much plastic.

When expected help didn’t show up, my daughter and I looked at each other and decided we would manage on our own to move the last heavy item. Then there was the cleaning of 3 years’ worth of living in 400 square feet with appliances older than my daughter. We also had the free use of a moving van to move her stuff in storage closer to my house where she will have easy access to go through and continue to purge. We didn’t need a truck that large by any stretch of the imagination but she had fun driving it just to say she could do it. There is something very empowering in doing things you didn’t think you could do before.

One wheel kept falling off but daughter kept fixing it.

I bought this in 2006 and it’s seem several apartments since. Will be sold this summer.

Stove is older than my daughter.

Ready for the new renter

Big truck for small load on a very wet day

clean kitchen, goodbye

We were both so tired that meals were catch-as-catch-can. To be honest, I didn’t know how exhausted I was getting until it was all done. Then it caught up with me big time. I went down for a week and could do nothing but sleep. Eating wasn’t going well either. So, I’ve been taking some gentle time for myself and doing next to nothing. Trying to read and leave comments was a short-term project most days and I’m not sure I was totally coherent nor were my comments. After a fair amount of rest with some exercise for good measure, we are both beginning to feel human again. The next move is up to someone else.

Sewing room shuffle

Do you ever have the tendency to push your limits too far? What do you do to recover? Did you find yourself purging excess in this first month of the year?

Comments on: "A Shoehorn" (101)

Oh, I am not the most organized person ever. My stuff is all over and since I retired I pledged to de-clutter my home. The kids are out of it, just hubby and me, so things must go. But hubby doesnt part with anything, so its a slow go (me getting rid of things when he is not looking). He tells me if it was up to me I would purge everything….even those keys in the junk drawer that were there when we moved in….

You make me laugh. I know exactly what you are talking about. My husband was walking the line as well and I came from a minimalist life. Collecting is catching. Now after many years, still working at letting go of creative materials to good homes. Can’t stand to throw things in the landfills. I would collect keys too to make things with. 😉 My daughter and I will help each other get this done. Thanks for the visit.

I actually think it feels good to purge belongings. Maybe I’m weird that way. I did a major one when we moved here years ago. I like the minimalist look that I’ve developed. Less dusting too. 😉 That is always a plus. I’m glad your daughter moved in. Now maybe it will be easier on you. It’s an adjustment to live with someone again, I’m sure. It’s a bonus that you two get along so well. ❤

I’m working to get there, Jackie. I caught the collecting bug from the last husband and that sense of panic when I knew my income was going to stop so I stockpiled. Now I’m giving most of it away as fast as possible so the kids don’t have to deal with it. It’s an ongoing project but shoehorning her in took a lot of work and we will go to the next stage when the weather warms a bit. We are having snow and icy rain for the next two weeks. ;(( It’s going to help us both for her to be here. She’s been cooking for me when I can eat. 😉

Thanks for stopping by, Luanne. Have had 2 of your posts open all week. I’m working my way there because I’m intrigued. I’ve done away with most of the paper. It’s the crafting materials that hold me up. It will say on my tombstone “She was gonna” So much we never get to even with the best of intentions.

I haven’t overdone it in a long time Marlene, because I think I finally realized just how hard it is to come back after doing too much, and nothing is really worth that much stress and pain and exhaustion. Believe me, I am tempted often because it does feel good at the time to triumph over obstacles that seem doable, but I can usually stop myself from going too far so I consider that a win! Take care and enjoy your new roommate!

Thanks for the visit, Deb. I think this was the end of it for me. i couldn’t get her out of that apartment fast enough even though it doubles her commute. We rolled her mattress end over end until we could lift it over the edge of the truck. My sister shouldn’t be doing much either so I limited it to that one thing for her. I am enjoying my new roommate. She cooks for me when I’m not feeling well. 🙂

Perfect opening sentence Marlene 🙂 I know exactly what you are going through as D and I did the same thing a few years back and that was really what kick started my ongoing purge. It’s amazing what we keep because a) we have it b) it might be handy one day or c) someone gave it to us. Yesterday I got completely side tracked by the delightful Alys who gave me some ideas to halt my constant complaints about my kitchen. It’s old, with aged appliances that either don’t work or aren’t used and ‘temporary’ replacements stacked on top. Crazy!! I have just identified about one half of my containers as being disposable. I filled a rubbish sack with out dated, unused foodstuffs and utensils. Many unused appliances will be donated. And I’m less than half way through the job 🙂 My life is so simple these days and I was keeping things for when my life ‘returned to normal’.. I just realised, this is my new normal 🙂 My new normal does not involve me getting over tired or stressed. It took me breaking down like an old horse three times to recognise that as a pattern, a life choice, and change it. It is wonderful that you and H will be sharing, it might be cosy, but the warmth that matters is the love between you. Enjoy xoxo

They have a neighborhood yard sale here every summer the first weekend in June. We are going to be ready. I think my place is much larger than yours so we are able to give each other some space and then enjoy our time together. It was lovely to have someone make a meal for me when I didn’t feel up to doing it myself. Yes, this is the new normal. Her place was becoming dangerous with drug addicted homeless wandering the area day and night. Her car has been broken into 3 times for nothing of value. We will continue the purge as my energy returns. I try not to throw things in the dump that are still usable but pass them on. I know you do the same. I’m really ready to let it all go and sit with a good book and my laptop these days. 😉 Will keep you posted on progress. Giant squishy hugs.

That’s a good idea having a neighbourhood sale – no such thing here. We once spent a week organising a garage sale and sold about half of what was on offer – I don’t have the energy to do that again! I give most of it away and recycle what I can , the rest, not a lot, but still some, ends up in landfill. I figure now if I’m not using I never will and if it turns out I got rid of something I then need chances are I wouldn’t have found it in ‘the stash’ and would have repurchased or gone without anyway. My aim is to have nothing extraneous by the end of the year – though I am discovering the more I get rid of, the more I want to get rid of. What once seemed important is no longer so. Your girl will feel much safer living with you I’m guessing. I’m glad to hear you have more space, we managed but it was challenging for me at times, especially when she was on night shift and needing to sleep during the day. Siddy didn’t understand the concept of people off limits and shut doors 🙂

Oh, poor Siddy! Staring at the door of his favorite playmate and wondering why she won’t come out to play. That would make it hard. I am very fortunate here and know it. We have new owners starting this month so things will change and probably get more expensive. That’s life. Always changing. Let the purge continue. 😉

Marlene, you really hit a spot with this latest post of yours. Because at some point, who knows when, we are going to have to sort out our stuff. Not because we are moving but because we close to ending our days.

Exactly, Paul. That’s why my daughter is living with me. To help me to the end. My son is coming this summer to help get my manufactured home ready to sell and collect all he wants to keep. The rest will go to a large estate sale. I’m giving away and selling everything not essential until that time comes. I could have years left but why wait to get the job done. Do it while I’m feeling almost well. Thanks for stopping by. Just had my nap and ready to visit the rest of my friends here. Thanks for the visit.

What a great opener, Marlene! I too find myself walking that wobbly line. Before and during the holidays, we were in the middle of trying to downsize my parents from 4000+ sq feet to 1500. It was a monumental task that trickled down to Derek and I doing some major purging. Enjoy your time with your daughter. I’m so happy she’s there with you. xo

Thanks so much, Jill. I know you have been through it and that’s why I’m trying to not put my kids through it. A lot of changes are coming so I’d better brace myself for them. My daughter has been very helpful as she cooks for me when I just don’t feel up to it. She’s a great chauffeur as well. Welcome to the wobbly line. 😉

Marlene, my hat’s off to you! And your sister! We’ve been getting rid of stuff too and it feels good! I’ve never been much of a collector except for seashells, bookmarks and of course books to use the bookmarks with! 😉 Having fewer things not only takes up less space, but also takes less energy. I hope you give yourself plenty of time to recuperate from all the moving, cleaning and shoehorning! Hugs to you 😘

You have it in a nutshell, Barb. I even had it stuffed under all the beds. I’m going to get a bumper sticker that says “I won” 😉 Books and fabric are my anchors to this world. I’ve given away a whole lot but just have a hard time with the rest. It has to be done though. Are you happy with the move? I know it’s always a mixed bag, but? Thanks for stopping by.

Cleaning is my forte as well as packing to move. I’m a class A mover. They hadn’t seen an apartment vacated that clean. It was filthy when she moved in. I do it in small chunks sometimes. We wanted that $500 deposit back and go it. Call me if you want help. 🙂

I have all this still ahead of me. I am fighting to get a dumpster in the front yard and do the whole thing easily, the Husband wants to take loads to the dump in the trailer… only he won’t be here a lot of the time, so I’ll have to load, drive there unload (alone), come back and repeat. And repeat, and repeat. We’re also downscaling from 3/4 acre block and a 4 bed house to an 1/8 acre and a 2 bed house. I’m the one who’s good at getting rid of stuff; my biggest clear out was condensing my life down to 20% of a shipping container when I emigrated to Australia. That really sharpens your focus on what’s important to you! Take it a bit easy, dear Marlene, it sounds like your body’s wiser about exertion than you are!

Yes, you do know what I’m talking about. That’s quite the downsize and a LOT of work. I do not envy you one bit. If you have to load and unload alone, I’d probably stand firm for the dumpster. I did my dump run with my sister who is a lot like having a guy with me. 😉 It’s all about safety and efficiency. As for the shipping container, I’m asking myself the same questions. What would I want to take with if we left the country. It’s moving up the list of possibilities. Please be careful with all your work. I can see you pushing too hard too. Hugs from here.

With the container, it boiled down to one chair, one antique table, 50% of my books, family silver, and photos, my sewing machine, tools, some mirrors, some rugs and many, many pictures. With that, I could make a home from scratch.

And that was not cheap either. Shipping a sewing machine would be hard. I’d probably start from scratch and take the fabric. 😉 Not an easy thought but where I’m eventually going, I’ll definitely be starting from scratch. 😉 Hope they have books there. 😉

I’ve already been thinking about decluttering more – once you start, it’s fun to see how “minimalistic” you can get. Hehe.
It sounds like you’ve had an adventure in moving – for the whole month of January. I’m glad, however, that you are taking time to rest. Moving furniture and houses is difficult, even in the best of circumstances. It can be taxing, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I’m glad that you recognized the need to be gentle with yourself. Too often we’re all too hard on ourselves. 🙂
To that end, I love all your quilts and crafts and all the beautiful things you do! Not so easy to keep everything with 400 square feet. Husby and I live in 1000 sq ft and I realize that I could pare down much further – even though a lot of folks tell us it’s a small space. Yeah, well…we don’t need any more than that. Haha.
I think part of why I like the idea of decluttering is that my mom and her mom and my husby’s mom all keep EVERYTHING. I dread the day when I have to go through all of it. I’ve gently told my mother so. I’ve been telling her (and I can’t help all that much, living 1500 miles away) that she needs to start simplifying. But…how do you convince an 80-something woman to simplify if she won’t consider it on her own? Ah well…life. 😛
I’m impressed that you moved all that stuff yourselves! You’ve got THE POWER! (Cue the Bruce Almighty music, haha).
In any case, I wish you a wonderful February, sending you big hugs and heapings of rest.

I hear you loud and clear. I have 1500 sq ft and my daughter the 400. So she is shoving everything into one bedroom as the other has all the sewing stuff. We are downsizing so the kids don’t have to do it later. Once the house is ready, I’ll probably put it up for sale so they don’t have to deal with it later. I am gifting things to those that want things in particular and the rest will be sold off or put into storage until we know the next turn. This illness can manifest in different ways for different people. I want to be ready. Women can do anything men can do with enough ingenuity. But then we need to be gentle with ourselves. 😉 The hardest part of this is all my fabric and books. They are like air to me. And gifts from people. That’s so hard. I’m giving them back to the giver if they want it or putting it in a yard sale. Hugs back. I haven’t forgotten you, I’m getting there.

My, you have been busy! And I completely understand how you pushed yourself too hard. But you also were smart enough to take the time and be gentle with yourself. And kudos for de-cluttering though I understand how hard that can be. When I moved cross country in the 90’s, I sold or donated most of my possessions and just took what fit in my car. Though it was hard to do, I felt so free afterwards. Time to go through stuff again. The challenge of living on a farm is that you always think you can use that item again …… So I’m going to have to work on it. Blessings to you, Marlene.Glad your daughter is there to help you.

Thank you, Celine. I’m glad she is here too. I have so much because I was not expecting to be able to purchase any of it after I left my marriage. It was to help me support myself as I live entirely off social security. It’s given me to tools to make most of my gifts all these years and provide some income. Combining households is quite the trick and we are only keeping what my kids want later. That won’t be very much. Slowly, slowly it will move on.

Gosh, Marlene! How ambitious you have all been! Looks like you really accomplished a lot. One of my friends started telling me about Marie Kondo, the great organizer. Have you heard of her? We decided to do a little purging here and used her method to go through our books. That was painful and enlightening. I love my books and it was really hard to let many of them go. Besides my cherished antique book collection I did pretty good I thought. There’s something to be said about clearing out the old as long as we don’t keep bringing in the new!

Good to see you here, Jan!!! Thanks for stopping by. I started watching her shows on Netflix and fell in love. Did not care for her book which I also have had for quite some time. It’s been hard to let go of so much so fast when I think about all the money that’s invested in it. But my clock is ticking and things must be done. I’ve been in the process for quite some time but having my daughter move in to help me has hurried that process up quite a bit. My son will come this summer to help ready my house for sale and take the things he wants to keep back home with him. Then we will have a massive sale. 🙂 I’m glad you are having fun with her method of organizing. My friend Alys at Gardening Nirvana did a good job helping me a year ago but I didn’t let go of enough stuff. Now it’s going big time, I hope. ;( I’m glad to have my daughter here to help. Keep in touch, please. I miss you.

Well done all of you on the mammoth task. You do right to rest and recover. I am having a long hard and realistic look at my stuff now. And there are some massive purges going on. The charity shop is doing very well out of it. I am only keeping that which I know I will use.

I think there are many who are doing the same right about now and many that are still accumulating. 😉 I once had a charity shop ask me not to bring anymore as they couldn’t sell it as fast as we were bringing it in. My last husband was quite the collector and I found it contagious. So I’ve still a mammoth task ahead to let go of more. Sigh. Thanks for joining the ranks of the purgers. 😉 Have a good week, Cathy.

I think we are all good at giving advice to others about taking it easy and pacing oneself – and then forget to do it ourselves! I’m not surprised you felt wiped-out for a week, I would have felt like that for 2 weeks 😦
I hope you and your daughter and your sister are patting yourselves on the back for getting over such a big hurdle. These things can be absolutely nightmarish. Now, enjoy some REST xxx

Thanks so much for stopping by, Jill. Yes, we are proud of ourselves. And all needing down time. But we saved my daughter a great deal of money by doing the work with her. Cleaning the apartment would have cost her $500 which is what her deposit was so she saved the $500 and gets her $500 back. Working full time during this move left little time to get it all done so help was needed. I’m a cleaning machine, just slower than I once was. ;( I’m starting to rally again and get some work done here at home. Daughter is working from home today. 😉 Gives her a little extra rest too. Have a great week.

This entire post made me smile. I am a Class A pack rat, as were my parents, and my husband…. It never stops, it seems. But, at some point we must move and deal with our stuff. I have been purging here slowly, over the past few months. Your sewing room looks a lot like mine, except your fabric shelves are taller. Mine are packed, too. I love that the wheel kept falling off .Something like that has to happen. 😉 So glad you all had what looked like some fun anyway. Sounds like you got the rest you needed. 🙂

We are all starting to recover. My daughter has fibromyalgia so everything hurts no matter how little she does. My sister and I are old and both have IPF so we are not the greatest of help but between these 3 stooges, we got the job done and the deposit back to boot. Now for the finish work. 😉 Thanks for stopping by. I’m going to try to catch up this week. I have a lot of fabric hiding in my bedroom too. ;(

Hey Marlene, I hope you’re feeling more rested. I know I do the same type of things. When stuff needs to be done, you just push through and do it. That was easier 20 years ago 😬 Are you enjoying your daughter’s company? You always seem to have good adventures with her. Have a great week!

Thank you, Missy. Yes, I am enjoying having her here. I get tired quickly now so she picks up the slack. And she gentle to live with. Yes, I did so much better 20 years ago. 70 and IPF have really taken their measure from me. But I never give up. Eventually, I will get the job done with my family’s help. Hope you are having a good winter week as well.

I think the work you’re doing is the most exhausting work of all–physically and emotionally. And because you want it DONE you push too hard and then your body and mind just say, “ENOUGH!” We had a big move a few years ago and I thought we really got rid of a lot but now I look around and . . . oy, there’s still so much! Give yourself some time to recover and be proud of all you’ve accomplished!

Thank you, Kerry. Yes, this week has been about recovery. We still have a lot of interior work to deal with but that can be done slowly. Just getting her out of the apartment with time to get it spotless was the goal. I have been purging since I moved in here but have had my son and sister at various times move in and leave stuff. More has to go. Change is what life is about. We will survive it. 😉

I love your humor, Marlene. Sorting and shoveling 🙂. I am so impressed you did all that work! I need to declutter and purge. That’s on my list for the summer. I remember that stove – avocado green and harvest gold were the popular colors in the 70’s. We had a matching refrigerator. Where did the books go?

The books are going to the Friends of the Library. I’ve already taken over 6 boxes to them. I try to stay out of bookstores now. I have plenty to read here and online. 🙂 Some can be sold to Powell’s City of Books as they carry new and used. My daughter is doing that with some of her books. Books were the first thing she moved into my place. 😉 The avocado green predates the harvest gold. so the stove is early 60’s I think. Yuck. It didn’t work either. More shoveling to do but more slowly. 😉 Have a good week and thanks for stopping by.

Good to see again. Have missed you. I knew I was pushing my limit but it was for a good cause. Getting my daughter out of that apartment was worth it. Hope you are doing well and getting lots published. Hugs.

I know from my mum how it is with that hoarder/collecting bug. 😉 The only thing I hoard are books and even those I try to give away once I’ve read them and know that I don’t want to keep it.
You two got a lot done in that short time! But poor you for having had to pay the price for overdoing it. My mum’s the same really, while she’s at it nothing seems to hard or heavy and afterwards she needs to sleep for days. She promises to try and change since she’s noticed that she overdoes it quite a lot. Will see if it works out. 😉

I do give away novels for the most part but most of my books are nonfiction so they are reference material. Most of my novels are on the ereader now. I collected for the time I would have no money. But now that I have no money, I also have no need so much will be sold or donated. Trying to make it easier on my kids later. 😉 I know what you mom feels like. At 70, it takes me longer to repair.

It’s any wonder you’re still standing, Marlene. This is exhausting work, both physically and emotionally not to mention the cold weather you’re dealing with, too. I’m glad you got her fully moved out on time. The old place looks spotless, so I hope that means she’ll get the full return of her deposit. It looks like you’ve got a nice space carved out for your daughter, while retaining your beloved sewing room. I’m happy to see that. Rest, rest, rest! xo

I’m not sure I am still standing, Alys. 😉 Have been doing lots of resting. Almost recovered. She will be getting her deposit back. They have never seen an apt left that clean. The sewing room is intact for now. 😉 Thanks for stopping by. I’ll be checking in with you now. Hugs.

Great post! I have definitely been purging in the last few weeks, because my daughter moved OUT! So now her old room is my new art studio!! 😁❤
I usually put a heating pad on my back and shoulder after this type of work and watch t.v. or read a book! 😁

Thanks for stopping by, Patsy. I have a lot of years on you and was there once. Now I need more help and more rest. I loved living alone but with IPF, anything can happen and driving is more difficult. It’s all a cycle. I have had to go to several different charity shops to offload as I’ve been giving away a lifetime’s accumulation. Letting go of one’s life is hard. But if I don’t assist, then that leaves it all on the kids. Wouldn’t be fair. A fish hatchery sounds like a great place to live and do art. 🙂

The fish hatchery has been great to live at, but it is over 40 miles from town so our car has over 300K miles on it now! But it is very quiet and great for doing art.
I hear ya on giving stuff away so your kids won’t have to do it. I wish my parents had done that!
I hope things are going well with your daughter there now. I’m glad you have someone to help you. Honestly, I have never lived alone and would hate it! 😁❤

I really did love having my own space for as long as it could last. But my health being what it is says that’s just not practical anymore and we are good about helping each other. I get lots of alone time while she is at work. 😉 Solitude is something we both need.

I bet you did, but it is great that you are good about helping e as ch other. I know what you mean, though, about alone time. I get mine mostly during the day, too. Solitude is definitely something I need. My husband gets his in the morning before work while I get to sleep later than he does. 😉😂

Wow Marlene, you and your sister and daughter certainly have been more than busy with the move. De-Cluttering is something I began again in January and only last week filled another charity bag full of books, trinkets and clothes. and still there is more.
I can so see why you were so tired.. and its no wonder you wanted to sleep for a week.
Loved the photos.. Its amazing what we can do when we put our minds to it isn’t it.
And the satisfaction after it is all completed too.
I would have replied sooner to your comment pending to on my blog, but the universe had other ideas. I came back to my blogging on Monday, but found i had no internet.. and I had to wait for engineers to come out to fix the problem which turned out to be external to the cable to my home.. But thankfully I hope all is now fixed again..

Good to be chatting again Marlene.. I hope you continue to take care and rest up well, that is what i have been doing.. We had no TV either, a blessing in disguise with the cable problem, so I set too and did more knitting and reading and read two books. which took me to the land of make believe and magic.. 🙂

Have a beautiful weekend my friend.. and take care of you. Much love sent your way Marlene.. ❤ mega HUGS ❤

Thanks for stopping by, Sue. No apologies necessary, ever. We all have lives and things that need our time including down time. I’m still purging too. This will continue for the rest of the summer, I suspect. Slowly. No internet would be hard for me. No TV, not such a problem. Keep taking care of yourself first. Hugs, M

Hi Marlene! Oh, how I enjoyed this post. It is wonderful to look at your pictures of cleaned out spaces. In fact, I find it hard to look up from my iPad, as then I will be forced to look at my cluttered house! I think I’d rather stay in a dream of tidy-ness. Keeping a house clean and organized is a ridiculous amount of work, isn’t it? But, still, it must be done. My place is due for a purge, especially the closets. I don’t do it often enough, because it is exhausting (as you well know) and it just takes so long. There’s always something higher on the priority list. Or at least that’s what I tell myself. LOL Now, for recovery, I recommend sleeping late at least one day, and going to church. Church is very energizing. Have a great weekend!

You tickle me., Stacy. Dream of tidiness indeed. I think we have upended every area of my home so a lot will be ongoing for months. To keep us motivated, we have been watching Marie Kondo on Netflix which is entertaining and happy feeling. Today is the kitchen. After breakfast. ;( We finished just in time. This whole month is ice and snow so no one is leaving the house here. My daughter will work from home as our city has little in the way of snow and ice removal. It comes to a grinding halt. I was grateful we got the move done before it hit. We are having all of winter in one month. 😉 I wish you great energy to get your purge done. At 70, I need more than one late morning and since I can’t sleep late, I nap. Like a preschooler. 😉 Hope your weekend is dry and sunny with lots of creativity. 😉

This is a great post, Marlene and synchronous with my life at the moment too, as I think you are aware. We both have to de-clutter and downsize for different reasons. I can empathize with the exhaustion and I am relatively strong and healthy! I still felt exhausted and fingers and back ached from carrying furniture. I am so over moving! That is why we have decided to build a house that we can stay in forever… I don’t want to move again, unless it is to the Nursing home. Will not build clutter again! Will not build clutter again! If I repeat it enough it will become true! It can feel like a burden has lifted off our shoulders, lightening the load though. It is just hard going until you get to that point. What keeps me going is thinking that the kids will have to do this if I don’t and I wouldn’t want to burden them with having to clear out all my stuff. I have a M-i-L who is 90 and has become a hoarder since her husband passed away. It is enough to spur me on, seeing what her kids will have to do when she leaves this earth. Rest up and take it easy now, just do little bits here and there if you can. I bought a Japanese book on cleaning. Haven’t read it yet…. it is at the bottom of a TBR pile.. Books are hard things to reduce ! Hugs from Australia.

Haha, Amanda. I’d bet money that the Japanese book on cleaning is by Marie Kondo. She has a short series on Netflix too. I didn’t care for the book at all but after watching the series, I understand better what she is trying to do. We have watched every episode as we purged. As for the clearing, it’s meant to save the kids dealing with it later. Trauma is usually the root cause of hoarding. Losing a loved one can start it along with other traumas. As you let go of things you must deal with the trauma as well. That’s why it should never be rushed.

Happy you got it all done!! Yes, I tend to push myself at time in the same way…and then almost collapse of exhaustion. And reading this, I realize I should dedicate some time to purge more here at home…and I hope I get some time for that next summer.

Thanks for stopping by, Tiny. I didn’t have the option to wait for summer but I think this is an ongoing project. It seems to be a prevalent theme everywhere though. I think women, more then men push past their breaking point to get something done. I’m going to have to cut that out. 😉

Thanks for stopping by. I’ve been purging so long I’m sure the house is growing stuff behind my back because I’m certainly not out buying stuff. At least I don’t think I am. Every time someone moves in with me, there seems to be more of my stuff that needs to go. I’m looking forward to the June yard sale to see how much I can sell for my donation to the Humane Society this year.

Good heavens I’m glad no one pulled a muscle with all that hard work. Bravo to all of you to get through it all. I knew you had work coming up and I wish I had been in the neighborhood. If you had given me a call, you would have been done anyway by the time I got there! Still, know that I am great with spur of the moment stuff, so if you get a wild hair one night and decide to tackle some project the next day, give me a call!!

When I exhaust myself, I do the same as you: rest rest rest. And no social events, because those make me even more tired. I can recover only when the people around me are comfortable people – like you, and Tara.

I’m like you, Crystal. People make me more tired than hard work. For me it’s social anxiety. I come back from every gathering exhausted. Love my friends but never relax with them. I’d rather move furniture or scrub the floor. 😉

When I nicknamed you, Marlene-a-go-go, that wasn’t a challenge dear! LOL, geez Louise ! What an immense amount of work. I get stiff from just a 5 hour shift at work, ha! Lot’s of bending, mopping and elbow grease on Thursdays, as the weekends always have a special event there. I’m certain your schedule would do me in too.
I haven’t taken to cleaning yet this year. In fact, as I mentioned in a previous message, the ‘dang’ Christmas tree is still up.
Sometime last fall I went through my craft room, purged and labeled new paper bins. It’s always a work-in-progress. Would I like to be better organized? Sure I would. Would I rather have fun making something in the Boomroom? Always! The latter usually wins out. As long as things are easy to find, I’m good 😀 x B

You do tickle me, dear heart. Nothing wrong with the Christmas tree still being up. Maybe make some Easter decorations for it and a few St. Pat’s so it looks intentional. 😉 I wouldn’t be doing all this clearing if it were not for having to shove my daughter’s things in as well. I’d rather be creative as well but that’s coming soon. Maybe. 😉 I’ve worked retail. it isn’t easy so I know what you are talking about. Take care and stay warm. Love and hugs, M

I understand pushing yourself beyond what you should. The older I get, the more I realize that I have to pace myself if I want to be able to move the next day. Its just the next step in accepting my limitations, and, I tell myself, I’m gaining wisdom in realizing these limitations! 😉 All the best to you, Marlene

Thanks for stopping by, Celine. I am always pushing beyond my capacity and never seem to catch up. I feel most days that I’m in a race to the finish line. My limitations are intensifying weekly so who knows where that will lead me but I think I’m ready for whatever comes now.

I know this isn’t what Churchill meant this for, and even The Great Purge isn’t that bad, but as I was reading your (to me 🙂 ) amusing story what came to mind was his quote “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” 🙂